Rev. James Harper preaches on Habakkuk 1:1-17 as part of our Sermon series on Faith in Difficult Times.

In the midst of injustice and suffering, the prophet Habakkuk's honest dialogue with God offers profound wisdom for believers today. Habakkuk boldly questioned God about the evil in his nation, only to receive the shocking answer that things would get worse before they improved. Rather than abandoning his faith, Habakkuk demonstrated that we can express our frustrations while still trusting God. His story teaches us that our limited perspective prevents us from seeing God's larger plan, just as the Babylonian exile that seemed catastrophic actually laid groundwork for the spread of Christianity. When facing difficult times, we can be honest with God while remembering His covenant love never fails.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Genesis 12:1-3 for our Kick Off Sunday.

God's command to Abraham to 'be a blessing' extends to all believers today. This divine imperative is rooted in God's unmerited grace and love, not our qualifications or merit. Being a blessing requires stepping out of our comfort zones and taking practical action in others' lives. Through the BLESS model (Be in prayer, Listen, Experience, Serve, Share), we can intentionally impact those around us, especially those far from God. As recipients of Christ's ultimate blessing, we're called to extend that same blessing to others through meaningful relationships and tangible acts of service.

Rev. Scott York preaches on Luke 21:25-38 as he wraps up our sermon series on the book of Luke.

Jesus's teachings about the end times in Luke 21:25-38 aren't meant to provide a timeline for His return, but to prepare us for living faithfully until then. We're called to 'look up' with hope, recognizing that world turmoil is temporary and Christ's promised return is certain. Simultaneously, we must 'look in' to guard our hearts against worldly distractions, remember the urgency of evangelism, and maintain continuous connection with God through prayer. Living with this dual perspective allows us to face present trials with eternal hope, knowing that for believers, Christ's return brings not judgment but the fulfillment of His promises.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 21:5-24 as part of our Following Jesus sermon series through the book of Luke.

In uncertain times filled with fear-inducing headlines and global conflicts, Jesus teaches us that we've been living in the 'end times' since His resurrection. While following Christ during these times isn't easy, Jesus expresses absolute confidence about the future security of His followers. Our fear level is largely determined by who we're with - surrounding ourselves with voices of panic increases anxiety, but remembering we're with Jesus changes everything. Christians can find peace by recognizing fear-mongering, grounding themselves in biblical truth, remembering their security comes from Christ, and being a non-anxious presence in a fearful world.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 20:45-21:4 as part of our Following Jesus Sermon Series through the Book of Luke.

The story of the widow's mite is often interpreted as a lesson about sacrificial giving, when it may actually be Jesus highlighting religious corruption. Positioned between Jesus' condemnation of scribes who 'devour widows' houses' and prophecies about the temple's destruction, this account shows a vulnerable woman exploited by corrupt religious leaders. Jesus appears heartbroken, not impressed, by her giving everything she had to live on. This serves as a warning about how religious institutions can drift from their purpose and exploit the vulnerable, while also reminding us of the importance of accountability structures and healing for those hurt by the church.

Rev. James Harper preached on Luke 20:27-44 as part of our sermon series "Following Jesus" on the Book of Luke.

Jesus confronted the Sadducees who denied the resurrection with a powerful defense of life after death. The Sadducees, a powerful but disliked group who controlled the Jewish Sanhedrin, tried to trap Jesus with a trick question about marriage in the afterlife. Jesus responded by revealing their misunderstanding of both God's character and Scripture. He explained that the resurrection reality differs from earthly life, and pointed to scriptural evidence including God's self-identification as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - patriarchs who were physically dead but alive to God. This resurrection hope gives meaning that transcends our circumstances and reminds us that God desires eternal relationship with us.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 20:20-26 as part of our sermon series, Following Jesus in the Book of Luke.

Rev. Andrew Dickinson preaches on Luke 20:9-19, the Parable of the Vineyard, as part of the Following Jesus sermon series on the book of Luke.

The Parable of the Vineyard in Luke 20:9-19 reveals four key motivations that drive human actions: ambition, desire, fear, and love. Jesus uses the story of tenants who mistreat and kill the vineyard owner's servants and son to illustrate humanity's rebellion against God. While the religious leaders were driven by ambition for power and fear of people's opinions, God demonstrates persistent love by repeatedly reaching out despite rejection. The parable challenges us to examine our hearts, grow in God's love, practice proper reverence, produce spiritual fruit, and make Jesus the cornerstone of our lives.